title: The epithelial lining of the bovine ejaculatory duct.
abstract: The bovine ejaculatory duct is lined by a pseudostratified columnar epithelium. Two cell types are present: small basal cells and columnar principal cells in different functional states. The basal cells are able to accumulate lipid material. The principal cells are observed in a less active state and in a state of either increased endocytosis and fluid uptake or active spermiophagy. Endocytotically active cells are characterized by an apical brush border and a system of microvesicles, multivesicular bodies and lysosomal dense bodies. Cells involved in phagocytosis of spermatozoa are mostly provided with a smooth apical border, an expanded Golgi apparatus, many phagocytic vacuoles and condensing phagolysosomes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy and Histology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Assiut, Egypt.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Abou-Elmagd
authors.forename: K H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Wrobel
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D004543:Ejaculatory Ducts / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004847:Epithelial Cells; D004848:Epithelium / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D015388:Organelles / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000502:physiology